3rd annual Farm Ramble event is set for Sept. 15

September 12, 2013

The Marshalltown Community College Agricultural Center will be one of many stops on the Third Annual Farm Ramble this September. This year five area farms and a restaurant will play host to this year's Harvest from the Heart of Iowa Farm Tour, an "open house" for visitors with an interest in sampling and/or purchasing local produce. The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15, from noon - 6 p.m.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the MCC Agricultural Center and tour Scott Monroe Gardens, one of the community gardens on campus. This event is made possible through the partnership between the citizen group, Harvest from the Heart of Iowa local food network, and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

"It's the peak of harvest time and despite the lack of rain, fruits and vegetables are abundant this year," says Sally Wilson, MCC Entrepreneurial Agriculture professor and Co-chair for Harvest from the Heart of Iowa. Wilson says the goal is to help farmers meet their customers and also help customers gain access to fresh, delicious, and healthy local produce.

Harvest from the Heart of Iowa is a local food network that focuses on developing local food opportunities for both growers and consumers within a 30-mile radius of Marshalltown. This includes folks in Tama, Marshall, Poweshiek, Story and Grundy counties. This farm tour is a chance for a slow, intimate visit at the various farms and Relish Restaurant in Grinnell. There will be samples of products and items for sale. The College Ag Center will be serving Berkwood Farms hot dogs (produced in Central Iowa), with a smorgasbord of toppings made from local ingredients. These will include zucchini relish, homemade catsup, chili, cheeses, coleslaw and more. A donation of $3 is suggested for a hot dog and an iced tea. Guests can also expect to observe on-farm research at some locations.